Sightings for the April 2013

April 30th

Whitethroat – Jimmy
Main (top) & Peter Clarke

There wasn’t much in the way of early field activity on
Hengistbury this morning, which is slightly disconcerting as the
ringer reported around 40 Willow Warbler foraging in Wick Ditch,
so suggesting there had perhaps been a relatively significant
arrival of birds. As it was, 5 Wheatear and Cuckoo were logged,
along with 3 Yellow Wagtail at Stanpit. The only wader counts
are of 11 Whimbrel, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit and 80+ Dunlin, but 3
Mediterranean Gull did pass over and there was a notable count
of 52 Shelduck at Stanpit.

April 29th

Linnet – Ali Germain

Mallard – Clinton
Whale

It was another very quiet day, which was interspersed with a
couple of moments of interest. At 9:00 this morning, an Osprey
passed high to the north over Stanpit and, late in the
afternoon, a gaggle of 25 pale-bellied Brent Goose was off
Mudeford Quay for a period. Otherwise, the best were 2 Hobby, 6
Yellow Wagtail, a Tree Pipit and a Garden Warbler over or on
Stanpit, plus a Whinchat and 4 Wheatear on Hengistbury. Wader
reports were spares, but do include a Common Sandpiper, 15
Whimbrel, a latish Snipe, 18 Turnstone, some of those coming
along nicely in terms of breeding plumage, and 80 or so Dunlin.
The drake Wigeon was again about and there are still two pairs
of Gadwall, as well as a spare drake, in the harbour.

April 28th

Marsh Harrier – Jimmy
Main

Cetti's Warbler – Paul
Craven

Whinchat – Jimmy Main

It was another quiet day on the migrant front, but there was
still enough interest for the members' day with best being a
couple of Marsh Harrier about the area. One was seen a few times
over the Wick reedbeds before it made a circuit of Stanpit,
while a further bird that sported a rather mangled tail headed
through to the east. In terms of passerine migrants, a settled
Whichat performed well by the Barred Warbler Bush, but Wheatear
were sparse with just three being reported all day. Meanwhile,
up to 20 Mediterranean Gull passed over, nearly all to the west,
3 Yellow Wagtail overflew Wick and a White Wagtail was at
Stanpit. There is little else to report from Stanpit though,
save for 15 or so Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper and 80 Dunlin.
For those who attended the members' day and saw the Cetti's
Warbler that was caught, the bird was actually a re-trap having
being initially ringed in the same spot almost exactly two years
ago on April 24th 2011.

April 27th

Dartford Warbler –
Chris Chapleo

Stonechat – Chris
Chapleo

It’s rarely good for two days in succession, so a quiet
morning was no real surprise. This was made all the harder to
bear by a cutting northerly wind that picked up an hour or so
after first light. Commoner migrants were around in small
numbers, the pick being 4 Whinchat and 17 Wheatear on
Hengistbury, but it’s also worth noting that Reed Warbler and
Sedge Warbler are now building in numbers around the area. The
waders at Stanpit were checked during both low tide periods,
with the peak counts being: the 2 Spotted Redshank, one in
almost complete breeding attire and the other slightly further
behind, 30+ Whimbrel, now just a single Curlew, 2 Common
Sandpiper, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Ringed
Plover and 141 Dunlin. Meanwhile, the drake Wigeon is still
on-site. Other than 5 Swift and a Peregrine over, the remaining
news comes courtesy of seabirds; namely, a Red-throated Diver
west, 4 Little Tern, 11 Mediterranean Gull and a Common
Gull.

April 26th

Wood Warbler – Darren
Hughes

Some heavy overnight rain ceased just prior to dawn, at which
time it was relatively quiet; however, after a couple of hours
of daylight there were a lot of grounded birds about the area.
These were mainly chats, with Wheatear being by far the most
numerous. At times, birds were carpeting the Barn Field and
Warren Hill East, but with them being fairly mobile and moving
on quickly, accurate counting was difficult and the ventured
tally of 120 individuals is likely to be very much on the
conservative side. In addition, at least 8 and 5 of Whinchat and
Redstart respectively were logged, as well as 5 Yellow Wagtail,
a White Wagtail, a Tree Pipit, singles of Redpoll and Siskin, 4
Swift and 185 Swallow. The pick of the warblers was a Wood
Warbler that performed well for a period in the Nursery, but
also 86 Willow Warbler, 45 Blackcap and 43 Whitethroat. There
was also a good variety of waders to be had: a Little Ringed
Plover left Stanpit to the north in the company of 40 Ringed
Plover and the 2 Spotted Reshank were still on the marsh, as
well as 8 Common Sandpiper, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 18 Whimbrel, 21
Black-tailed Godwit and 120 Dunlin. To complement these numbers,
4 Purple Sandpiper were on the sandspit and 18 Whimbrel plus 42
Black-tailed Godwit were seen on the move from Hengistbury. To
close this post, the second Hobby of the season circuited low
over Crouch Hill, at least 25 Mediterranean Gull moved over and
3 Little Tern were on-site, along with up to 30 Sandwich Tern,
the latter now seemingly well established and having been logged
as 80 birds inside the harbour a couple of days ago.

April 25th

A heavy mist shrouded most of the area throughout the day, so
reports are few and far between. In fact, the best involve a
Turtle Dove by Stanpit golf course and 3 Yellow Wagtail settled
on Wick. Meanwhile, for the date, there was an excellent count
of 25 Purple Sandpiper from Mudeford Quay, as well as a Grey
Seal there. Despite the poor visibility, it was possible to
ascertain there was an arrival of Swift and Swallow.

April 24th

CommonCrane
– Jean Southworth

One of the recent, lingering Purple
Sandpiper – Jimmy Main

The morning was again dominated by a major event, as a Common
Crane moved west over the area around 8:30. Once more, we must
thank the watchers at Hurst for a tip-off that meant a small
reception party was on Mudeford Quay to see the bird approach
and enter ‘harbour airspace’ over The Run, before circuiting
above Stanpit and making its way steadily west. Earlier, a short
while after dawn, a particularly showy Wood Warbler had
entertained at the northern extremity of the area, adjacent to
the House-on-Stilts, with a male Redstart, 2 Cuckoo and a
Wheatear also there and suggesting some real promise after a
misty night. However, on that side of the river things went
suddenly dead - for example, a single Dunnock being the sum
total from over 90-minutes of unfurled nets at the HHC. An hour
or so later though, the northern part of Stanpit seemed to come
alive, as a male Pied Flycatcher was seen briefly by the golf
course, a total of 33 Yellow Wagtail, including flocks of
fifteen and nine, were on or around Central Marsh and 18 Tree
Pipit overflew. Meanwhile, of intrigue, a male Yellowhammer
headed towards Hengistbury where a female is thought to be
hanging-out. Also seen from that session at Stanpit was a
movement of hirundines and Swift, including ten of the latter
plus 165 Swallow, 36 House Martin and perhaps 100 or so
travelling Sand Martin. In addition, a further 4 Swift were seen
over St Catherine’s School in the afternoon. Continuing with the
marsh, a mid-morning wader movement was also witnessed,
including a fly-through Little Stint mixed in with 116 Dunlin,
but also a Golden Plover, a Greenshank, 56 Whimbrel, 2 Common
Sandpiper and 26 Ringed Plover. To round up, a couple of
Red-throated Diver moved west past Mudeford Quay, singles of
Brent Goose and Wigeon remain, a pair of Teal was in Brewer’s
Creek and Gadwall were seen as a couple in Barn Bight and 2
drakes and a duck in Parky Meade Rail.

Additional news: a Red-legged Partridge was at Stanpit in the
evening.

April 23rd

Male Chaffinch –
Chris Chapleo

Other than a major highlight, it was another desperate day for
incoming migrants - once more, hirundines were virtually
non-existent. So, first-things-first: a Corncrake was heard
adjacent to the visitor’s centre on Stanpit around 7:30 this
morning before then being seen during a brief flight over to
East Marsh, in which relocation attempts would have been futile.
That aside, a couple of Whinchat, a Cuckoo, a Lesser Whitethroat
and 8 Wheatear were perhaps the only other new passerines
on-site. A single, lingering Purple Sandpiper was on the
sandspit groynes, as were 2 Common Sandpiper and 12 Turnstone;
while by the late afternoon, in excess of 40 Whimbrel were at
Stanpit, along with a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Ringed Plover and 25
or so Dunlin. A lone Wigeon was in Barn Bight, where it was
accompanied by a pair of Gadwall.

Additional news: an apparent pair of Marsh Harrier were high
over Wick late morning and up to 3 Snipe were vocal at Stanpit
at dusk, when a couple of Common Sandpiper were also present
there.

April 22nd

It's been a good spring for Redstart
in the area,
including two birds ringed today, both of them females – Jean
Southworth

A rather different view of a Dartford
Warbler,
along with Christchurch Priory – Steve Davies

Another fine morning produced a good selection of birds:
amongst them a Wood Warbler on the Batters and four scattered
Lesser Whitethroat. In addition, at least 7 Redstart, all female
birds, were across Hengistbury and Wick, as were 6 Whinchat, 12+
Wheatear, some of those actually on Stanpit, 32 Whitethroat, 3
Reed Warbler and 108 Willow Warbler. Meanwhile, a White Wagtail
was on Stanpit, 2 Yellow Wagtail and a Tree Pipit went over
Hengistbury, and a Yellowhammer on the head was considered to be
bird lingering for a couple of weeks now. After the traditional
mid-April lull, wader interest is now picking up with 22+
Whimbrel, a Greenshank, a Grey Plover, a Common Sandpiper, 9
Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Snipe and 67 Dunlin
all transient birds at Stanpit, plus the loitering 2 Spotted
Redshank there. As the spring comes to life, there were just 4
Brent Goose on the marsh this afternoon.

April 21st

The fine weather of the weekend has seen some reptiles emerge,
including this Grass Snake
as well as a few Adder – Brian Heppenstall

Although there were once again relatively few birds around,
there was a decent selection of minor quality - not least, a
Black Redstart on Whitepits and a Nightingale on Wick. In
addition, Hengistbury and Wick came up with: a Grasshopper
Warbler that reeled all too briefly by the Driving Range, at
least 2 Cuckoo, up to 5 Redstart, a Whinchat, over 20 Wheatear
and a flyover Redpoll. Meanwhile, the year’s first Hobby came in
over the north end of Stanpit, where another debutante for the
season, a Garden Warbler, sang. In terms of commoner migrants,
Willow Warbler were again pitifully low in numbers, but
Whitethroat and Reed Warbler do seem to have picked up a little.
However, for the second day in succession, incoming hirundines
were for the almost completely absent - a pair of Swallow are
prospecting the HHC and there are good numbers of Sand Martin on
the cliff, but passing birds throughout the morning came to no
more than single figures of the former!Around 14 Mediterranean
Gull travelled over the area and 2 Fulmar gave it a very close
look, including a bird over the centre of the Wick Fields, while
a lone Raven moved through. At Stanpit, there was a Greenshank,
9 Whimbrel, a very smart looking Spotted Redshank and 12
Black-tailed Godwit.

April 20th

Turnstone – Clinton
Whale

Pied Wagtail – Clinton
Whale

Despite promising looking and feeling conditions - overnight
cloud, clearing at dawn and a light easterly breeze - the
morning flattered to deceive. There was one highlight, however,
as a male 'Blue-headed' Wagtail, in the company of a female of
unknown race, foraged under the cattle in the No Dogs Field on
Wick for half-an-hour or so before they both moved on unseen.
The first Cuckoo of the spring was heard very early on about the
northern end of Wick and Stanpit, while 4 Bearded Tit, three
males and a female, were seen from the Wooden Bridge. Otherwise,
it’s just a single Whinchat on Hengistbury, around 6 Wheatear
spread across the area, 3 Sedge Warbler and paltry numbers of
Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Whitethroat to remark
upon in terms of migrant passerines. Mediterranean Gull were
heard throughout the morning, the estimate being around 40
birds, and a Fulmar moved east over a very quiet sea. At
Stanpit, just one Spotted Redshank was turned in, along with 7
Whimbrel, 2 Grey Plover, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Turnstone and
35 Dunlin. Meanwhile, the Brent Goose have dropped to just three
birds, but the Shelduck have increased to twenty-two. A couple
of local events involved a Nuthatch, which after being first
seen on Wick overflew the nets by the HHC and headed towards the
Wood, plus rising suspicions that Rook are once again attempting
to breed within the recording area.

April 19th

This morning the sea was watched from the Beach Huts for four
and a half hours from 6:00 onwards, but despite the effort very
little was seen; just a Red-throated Diver, 2 Red-breasted
Merganser and 28 Common Scoter east, plus another nine on the
sea, and 5 Little Tern west. A Common Sandpiper and 4 Purple
Sandpiper were on the groynes, while later in the day a further
10 Common Sandpiper were at Stanpit, mainly on the river, also
the 2 Spotted Redshank were opposite Fisherman's Bank. Migrants
were scarce again with 28 Willow Warbler, 20 Whitethroat, 17
Wheatear, 6 Blackcap, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Redstart, 2 Reed
Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler and a Tree
Pipit. Other movement involved the arrival of 75 Goldfinch at
Hengistbury and 17 Whimbrel east, also 17 Mediterranean Gull and
4 Greylag Geese through the harbour. Both Peregrine and Buzzard
were soaring over the Priory this afternoon. Finally, the
Red-necked Grebe is off Mudeford Quay this evening.

Check back to yesterday for some late news.

April 18th

A drake Garganey viewable from Fisherman's Bank was feeding
quietly in Stanpit Creek this morning; it's been a good
year for this species, with half-a-dozen birds already,
particularly when compared against last year when there were no
spring records. A few migrants turned up despite the strong
winds; the totals were 30 Willow Warbler, 30 Swallow, 15 House
Martin, 10 Blackcap, 5 Wheatear, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Sedge
Warbler, a Reed Warbler and a Tree Pipit. With good numbers of
skua recorded from various points west over the last couple of
days, the sea has been given some attention but produced very
little. This afternoon, however, a couple of skua moved into The
Solent past Mudeford Quay, but unfortunately their ID could not
be clinched. Earlier, 14 Common Tern and 4 Little Tern were off
the quay and a Fulmar moved west, also 7 Common Scoter, 4 east
and 3 west, and 2 first-summer Mediterranean Gull, while 13
Whimbrel and 2 Little Egret arrived. The 2 Spotted Redshank were
still present in the harbour together with 55 Dunlin, 12
Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Bar-tailed Godwit and a Turnstone. The
only other report is of a female Merlin at Stanpit this morning.

Omission: a Marsh Harrier was present on Stanpit around
lunchtime.

April 17th

A male Little Bunting first seen over the Nursery heading west
was then perched by Double Dykes about half-an-hour later,
around 10:00, before the bird continued on towards Wick.
However, it wasn't seen again. That apart, most of the action
was at the eastern end of the head, where a Woodlark came in-off
the sea and a Yellowhammer passed overhead. On the ground, over
the whole area, were 32 Blackcap, 26 Willow Warbler, 21
Wheatear, these mainly on the sandspit, 7 Whitethroat, 2 Black
Redstart, 2 Common Redstart, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Grasshopper
Warbler, a Firecrest and a Reed Warbler; also 9 Swallow through.
Whimbrel passage definitely picked up today with up to seventy
birds arriving, although double-counting can't be discounted,
with 26 birds seen from Mudeford Quay and the remainder from
Hengistbury. Other waders this morning were 32 Black-tailed
Godwit in two small flocks heading north, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit
and 2 Grey Plover while 4 Purple Sandpiper were on the groynes.
The sea was again very quiet with just 17 Common Scoter, 3
Mediterranean Gull, 2 adults and a first-summer bird and a
Common Tern.

April 16th

Blackcap – Alan Sutton

...and a pair of Meadow
Pipit going about their business – Hugh Goldsmith

The in-harbour Red-throated Diver was seen again today - this
time, on the river at Stanpit around lunchtime - with the other
notables for the post being the Nightingale in song this morning
on Wick Fields, close to the junction on the central path, and a
good total of 16 Purple Sandpiper on the sandspit. The majority
of the day’s Wheatear, 25 birds, were also on the sandspit, with
just seven others turned in from elsewhere. Once more, Wick
hosted the best of the spring migrants, with 2 Redstart, a
Yellow Wagtail over the Wooden Bridge, a Sedge Warbler and
all-bar-one of the seven reported Whitethroat, plus a few Willow
Warbler and Blackcap. In addition, there was steady incoming of
Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin throughout, although the
latter are now established on the Hengistbury cliffs making it
difficult to accurately assess new birds. There were few waders
at Stanpit, a Sanderling being the best, but also a lone
Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Ringed Plover. To
wrap up, the sea was given attention from the Beach Huts and
Mudeford Quay and came up with: 2 Red-throated Diver, 11
Whimbrel, a Fulmar, 4 Common Tern, 3 Common Scoter and 2
Shelduck, nearly all eastbound. Sadly, another cetacean was
washed up on the Hengistbury shore, with both corpses now
undergoing investigation; but on a brighter note, despite the
late spring, it has been reported that Mallard young were seen
on thirtieth of last month.

Ommission: 6 pale-bellied Brent Goose were on Stanpit this
afternoon.

April 15th

Firecrest on
Hengistbury – Alan Sutton

Greenfinch – Clinton
Whale

There were few grounded migrants to be had this morning, with
the northern section of Wick Fields seemingly holding most of
them - the totals from there and Hengistbury being: 2
Grasshopper Warbler, one of them actually being seen in the
Bobolink Field; a Nightingale, which was both seen and heard,
along the central path on Wick; plus 4 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, a
single Wheatear, 6 Whitethroat, 25 Willow Warbler, 42 Chiffchaff
and ten or so Blackcap. In addition, a Ring Ouzel came off the
head and moved along the sandspit, the year’s first Swift went
over Wick, a Firecrest and a Redwing were in the Wood, and 2
Yellow Wagtail and a Reed Warbler were about Priory Marsh.
Meanwhile, overhead, there was a small incoming of pipits and
hirundines, the totals being 175 Meadow Pipit, 175 Sand Martin,
80 Swallow and 5 House Martin. Of the waders, a Green Sandpiper
was perhaps the best, but the first 2 Greenshank of the year
were also at Stanpit, along with 7 Whimbrel, 2 Spotted Redshank,
a Grey Plover, 8 Bar-tailed Godwit and 22 Black-tailed Godwit.
At sea, a couple of Little Gull headed east, as did a Little
Tern, a Fulmar, 37 Brent Goose, 18 Common Scoter, 49 Common Gull
and a Common Tern, with further three of the latter inside the
harbour during the afternoon. Finally, please check back to
yesterday for some late news and, of mammal 'interest', a
porpoise, species to be confirmed, was washed up on the beach at
Hengistbury.

April 14th

A Nightingale was singing on-and-off on Hengistbury this
morning; although the bird was in deep cover about 100m past the
Barn it was seen occasionally. It was also easily the best
morning of the spring for hirundines with 340 Swallow, 200 Sand
Martin and 30 House Martin moving through. There was a Ring
Ouzel in the Bobolink Field on Wick, while across the area were
30 Blackcap, 28 Willow Warbler, 24 Wheatear, 4 Redstart, 3
Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Yellow Wagtail and a
Firecrest. Around mid-morning a group of 7 Pale-bellied
Brent Geese alighted on the mud off South Marsh for a few
minutes before continuing their journey east. The only
wader news today is of 7 Whimbrel on the sandspit and 34
Black-tailed Godwit on Priory Marsh. The Red-throated Diver was
on the river before leaving the harbour to the east, while other
snippets included a Peregrine seen from Mudeford Quay, 12
Mediterranean Gull and 3 Greylag Geese east, singles of Gadwall
and Tufted Duck in the harbour and a Redwing still on Stanpit.

Additional news: a Reed Warbler was singing on Priory Marsh.

April 13th

Black-tailed Godwit on
Wick Fields – Clinton Whale

There were plenty of optimists out in the field this morning
before the rain set in but highlights were few. An immature
Little Gull flew upriver and the Red-throated Diver was still
inside the harbour. A Brambling settled briefly on Wick,
while 4 Yellow Wagtail and 3 Yellowhammer passed
overhead. Migrant totals across the area were 43 Wheatear,
18 Swallow, 17 Willow Warbler, 10 Goldcrest, 9 Blackcap and 2
Firecrest. The sea was watched for most of the morning with
very little to show, just a Red-throated Diver, 7 Common Scoter
and 2 Shoveler west, a Whimbrel and 12 Sandwich Tern east, a
Great Crested Grebe on the water and a Peregrine off the cliffs.
A couple of Avocet arrived in the harbour from the west, while
on Stanpit there were 33 Black-tailed Godwit, 28 Dunlin, 61
Brent Geese, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit and the 2 Spotted Redshank,
also 8 Purple Sandpiper on the groynes and 15 Sandwich Tern on
the HHC mudbar.

April 12th

One of yesterday's Garganey
in Mother Siller's Channel – Alan Hayden

Another shot of the Red-throated
Diver this morning – Alan Hayden

The Red-throated Diver was still on the river this morning, but
yesterday's Garganey seemed to have moved on. The trickle
of migrants continued with singles of Redstart and Whitethroat
on Stanpit and a House Martin over the river; also 35 Swallow,
27 Sand Martin, 24 Willow Warbler, 23 Chiffchaff, 10 Wheatear
and 6 Blackcap. There was little or no overhead movement
with just 14 Linnet, 9 Goldfinch and a Whimbrel arriving over
Mudeford Quay, also 10 Mediterranean Gull and 4 Sandwich Tern
east. A Razorbill was on the sea off the quay, while both
Great Crested Grebe and Common Scoter were on the water off the
Beach Huts. The 2 Spotted Redshank were in situ on East
Marsh, while elsewhere on Stanpit 31 Black-tailed Godwit and 4
Shoveler were counted.

April 11th

Red-throated Diver in
Parky Meade Rail today – Darren Hughes

A recent shot of a Jay –
David Williams

After not being reported for a few days, the Red-necked Grebe
was back in the harbour this morning. There was also a
Red-throated Diver in Parky Meade Rail for most of the
day. Meanwhile, another five species made it onto the
harbour year list. These were Common Sandpiper with three
birds on Stanpit, this increased to six later in the day, and
then just one each of Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler,
Whitethroat and House Martin, all on Hengistbury. Migrant
totals from both sides of the harbour were 78 Goldcrest, easily
the best day of the spring for this species, 37 Willow Warbler,
36 Blackcap, 35 Chiffchaff, 16 Wheatear, 10 Swallow, 5
Firecrest, a Tree Pipit and a Redstart, also an influx of
Stonechat with 11 birds on Hengistbury considered to be
new-in. Both Brambling and Yellowhammer moved over
Hengistbury, also 6 Siskin. Mediterranean Gull were on the
move again with 47 logged, also 22 Sandwich Tern and what were
presumably yesterday's 3 Whimbrel left Stanpit in an easterly
direction soon after dawn. Further evidence of movement was
provided by the presence of 6 Avocet on Stanpit and around
lunchtime a group of 4 Garganey landed on Central Marsh. Counts
from Stanpit today included 122 Brent Geese, 60 Dunlin, 31
Black-tailed Godwit, 16 Ringed Plover, 5 Sanderling, 5 Grey
Plover, 5 Sandwich Tern, 4 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 2 Mediterranean
Gull, the Spotted Redshank and a Whimbrel; other wader news is
of a Little Ringed Plover over Hengistbury and 9 Purple
Sandpiper on the groynes.

April 10th

Despite the harbour being shrouded in mist there were a few
more migrants around today. The highlight was clearly the
sight of 2 Serin perched on the gorse on Crouch Hill, albeit
briefly, before they flew off towards the HHC. On
Hengistbury, there were 9 Firecrest, seven of these in one spot
towards the eastern end of the Wood, 3 Black Redstart, a
Yellowhammer and the first Yellow Wagtail of the year; other
totals were 19 Willow Warbler, 18 Chiffchaff, 15 Sand Martin, 12
Goldcrest, 6 Blackcap, 5 Wheatear and 2 Swallow. The only
hint of overhead movement was of 275 Woodpigeon north-east and
59 Mediterranean Gull east. On Stanpit, 3 Whimbrel were on East
Marsh and a Little Ringed Plover was on South Marsh, also 16
Grey Plover, another nine of these left the harbour just after
dawn, 9 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Snipe and 2 Sanderling. There were
singles of Redwing on either side of the harbour and 2 Siskin
over Hengistbury plus littoralis Rock Pipit and 'White' Wagtail
on Crouch Hill. To round up, 6 Shoveler and 3 Tufted Duck
were in the area.

April 9th

Today's heavy rain showers appeared to have put paid to any
early morning activity on Hengistbury, hence the only reports
received were from Mudeford Quay and Stanpit. The first
Common Tern of the year moved past the quay this morning, also
10 Sandwich Tern, 70 Brent Geese, 5 Turnstone, 2 Purple
Sandpiper and a Sanderling, all these birds east. On
Stanpit, a Black Redstart on Crouch Hill and a Swallow were the
only migrants reported. Waders present included 2 Spotted
Redshank, plus singles of Jack Snipe and Ruff, also 45 Dunlin,
22 Grey Plover, 18 Ringed Plover, 15 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2
Sanderling and 2 Snipe. Two each of Shoveler and Gadwall
were in the harbour, as well as 8 Sandwich Tern.

April 8th

Despite a forecast to the contrary it still felt very cold this
morning in a stiff easterly breeze. The first Redstart of
the year was the pick of the few migrants present on
Hengistbury; also 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Firecrest, 1 Tree Pipit
and a dozen Chiffchaff, while 6 Brambling and 1 Fieldfare passed
overhead. Meanwhile, Stanpit held just a single
Wheatear. The sea was watched from various points between
Double Dykes and the Beach Huts for up to three hours. With
all birds moving east the highlights were 5 Velvet Scoter and a
Garganey; and the numbers were 363 Brent Geese, 81 Common
Scoter, 12 Sandwich Tern, 5 Gadwall, 4 Red-throated Diver, also
one of these on the sea and another in the harbour off the Black
House, 3 Pintail, 3 Sanderling, 2 Grey Plover, 2 Shoveler, a
Great Northern Diver, a Fulmar and a Kittiwake. On
Stanpit just a single Spotted Redshank and 6 Turnstone were
reported, while the Brent Geese numbered 72 and 2 Greylag Geese
were around. Please check back to yesterday for some late news.

April 7th

Rock Pipit on Stanpit
today – Clinton Whale

After quite a sharp overnight frost conditions were fine and
dry with very little wind. Unfortunately, the clear night
put paid to any chance of a "fall"! Just 3 Wheatear were on
site plus 2 Willow Warbler, a Blackcap and half a dozen
Chiffchaff. The easterly passage of Mediterranean Gull
continued today with another 109 birds, also an Arctic Skua, 2
Black-throated Diver and 1 Red-throated Diver. There were
still 2 Redwing in the Bobolink Field and the wintering Black
Redstart was at the eastern end of Hengistbury, while singles of
Fieldfare and Brambling passed overhead. Later, a Firecrest
was in the bank by the Two Riversmeet footpath. Only 76
Brent Geese were on Stanpit today, possibly a sign that some
birds have moved north.

Additional news: On Hengistbury, a total of 4 Firecrest were
present and a male Black Redstart was in the Gully, while 8
Red-breasted Merganser moved east, also a Little Ringed Plover
circled the harbour.

April 6th

A fine sunny morning with only a light wind made it feel quite
warm today, but grounded migrants were still few and far
between. Consequently, today's report is mainly about birds
on the move, the best of which was probably a Spoonbill that
moved west past the Coastguards quite early, while later in the
morning a Marsh Harrier headed east at sea. Mediterranean Gull
and Common Gull featured strongly with totals of 114 and 217
respectively, also singles of Little Gull and Eider plus a group
of 35 Pintail, all these birds moved east. Inside the harbour
the Red-necked Grebe was in its usual spot, also 6 Gadwall and 4
Shoveler. A total of 15 Wheatear were on Hengistbury with
another six on Stanpit, but otherwise just a single Blackcap and
a couple of Willow Warbler were noted. Other bits and
pieces included the Redwing in North Scrubs, 4 Purple Sandpiper
on the groynes and 2 Raven over the Coastguards.

April 5th

Teal – Alan Sutton

Female Blackcap –
Alan Sutton

And still it goes on - the day’s best being a Yellowhammer
over the Batters, 3 Firecrest in the Wood and 3 Golden Plover
arriving, those in addition to a grand total of 5 Wheatear
across the area. On the upside, the Red-necked Grebe, which is
still very obliging inside the harbour from Mudeford Quay, is
looking far more spritely and seems to have managed to preen
most of the oil off itself. At Stanpit, 2 Spotted Redshank
remain, as well as 16 Grey Plover, 9 Bar-tailed Godwit and 37
Ringed Plover.

April 4th

Cormorant – Ali
Germain

Red-necked Grebe –
Chris Dresh

Black-tailed Godwit –
Ali Germain

The ‘spring’ progressed with light snow showers for much of
the day! Some time soon, however, there must be a break in the
weather and a subsequent unleashing of birds from mainland
Europe, with all the talk being that the weekend looks ripe for
this. Nevertheless, the year-list incremented courtesy of a
couple of Tree Sparrow that were briefly settled in brambles
around Stanpit golf course. Meanwhile, a Water Pipit was on
South Marsh, the Red-necked Grebe remained inside the harbour, a
Little Ringed Plover went over and a Marsh Harrier was about
Stanpit. Around 25 Chiffchaff were spread across the area and a
Blackcap even burst into song, but soon gave up; while to
further underline the cold conditions, of the half-dozen
Wheatear on-site some were attempting to feed with waders on the
harbour shoreline. A Greylag Goose that came in-off the sea with
two Brent Goose was an interesting event and 2 Tufted Duck were
in Barn Bight. Otherwise, the only other obvious migrants were 2
Siskin, 6 latish Snipe and a Spotted Redshank - the latter
joining the wintering incumbent, as well as 18 Grey Plover, 9
Bar-tailed Godwit, a single Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Turnstone
and 121 Dunlin.

April 3rd

Chiffchaff on Wick
today – Chris Chapleo

The Red-necked Grebe was still inside the harbour viewable from
the slipway on Mudeford Quay, also from the quay were 8 Purple
Sandpiper on the sandspit just across The Run. The Firecrest and
a Coal Tit were in the wood but migrants were hard to come by
with just 7 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap and a few Chiffchaff.
Overhead movement was also disappointing with just 138
Woodpigeon and 2 Siskin. A group of 5 adult Mediterranean
Gull moved over the HHC from the west while a further eight
birds were logged from Mudeford Quay. At sea 78 Common
Gull moved east, also 1 Red-throated Diver and 1 Sandwich Tern
past the beach huts. The only wader news today is of 2
Avocet arriving over Hengistbury and of the 2 Spotted Redshank
on Stanpit.

April 2nd

WaterRail
– Clinton Whale
This bird was photographed from the Wooden Bridge on Wick,
where,
during the low tide periods, sightings of Water Rail are almost
assured.

Stonechat – Alan
Hayden

Although the sun shone throughout the day, it was still very
cold in the wind. As a consequence, the only reports concern the
Red-necked Grebe inside the harbour until lunchtime at least and
4 Wheatear on Hengistbury.

April 1st

Another portrait of the Red-necked
Grebe,
which was again easily viewable from Mudeford Quay – Ali Germain

Despite the date, there are still plenty of Brent
Goose still using the area – Alan Hayden

...likewise, Wigeon –
Alan Hayden

It was a day more befitting of early January, as a biting
easterly blast and infrequent sunshine made field activity a
real struggle. However, on the upside, it was definitely the
best day of the Easter period for migration. This morning,
between 7:30 and 10:30, at least 1400 Meadow Pipit made it
across The Channel, as did 16 alba
Wagtail, a Brambling, 32 Linnet, a single Golden Plover, 200 or
so Woodpigeon, these in two flocks of roughly a hundred each,
and 13 Wheatear. In addition, a Merlin dashed across the Long
Field, no doubt following the pipits as they headed north.
Meanwhile, there was some wildfowl movement at sea: of 350 Brent
Goose that passed the Coastguards, around a hundred headed into
The Solent, including one gaggle of thirty with an accompanying
Shelduck, while the others looped into the harbour over the
sandspit; a flock of 16 duck was split evenly between Tufted
Duck, Shoveler and Pintail; a further eight ‘tufties’ and 2
Gadwall passed, as did 37 Common Scoter; and, although not
strictly fowl, 5 Red-throated Diver moved by. The conditions
once more saw Chiffchaff feeding away from bushes, but a
Firecrest in The Wood was having a better time of it. As
indicated by one of the day’s photos, the Red-necked Grebe had
returned to the harbour and was not looking in too bad a shape
from Mudeford Quay, where 2 Sanderling were also logged. Other
waders about the area involved: 3 Purple Sandpiper on
Hengistbury and the Spotted Redshank, 7 Turnstone, 150
Black-tailed Godwit, 40 Dunlin and 40 Ringed Plover at Stanpit.
To round up, three separate Peregrine visited the area and Raven
came to 6 birds, a singleton and an unkindness of five.